HF radio antenna advice wanted
Submitted: Monday, Oct 24, 2005 at 11:40
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boxer
Any HF gurus out there?
I have a Barrett 550
HF radio, with auto-tuning antenna, that I am moving from my old Patrol to my new Navara dual-cab.
My query concerns the cables between the radio and the (white) auto-tune antenna base. The cable coming directly out of the antenna is 1500mm long and terminates in a 4-wire plastic/nylon terminal block, and a co-ax cable terminating in a standard plug. They are connected to a 6 metre long "extension cable", terminating in similar block & antenna plug.
Is the length of these cables critical, that is, does the auto-tune antenna base just do whatever is necessary or do I have to have the radio re-tuned by a specialist if I change the length?
What would be most convenient is for the "initial" cables out of the antenna base to be about 600mm long, and then plugged into an extension about 3 metres long. That way, I could easily remove the antenna base when not required around town.
Dave
Reply By: Voxson (Adelaide) - Monday, Oct 24, 2005 at 12:03
Monday, Oct 24, 2005 at 12:03
Doesnt matter...
Steve Johnston cut
mine when i had a broken wire and nothing bad happenned..
AnswerID:
135986
Reply By: Member - Raymond - Monday, Oct 24, 2005 at 17:49
Monday, Oct 24, 2005 at 17:49
Hi Dave
You can shorten both the antenna cable and the auto tuning. The only problem is that you need to find the same plugs as supplied by Barrett as this is what they use to test the antenna or the radio is there is a problem.
Two ways around this.
1. Call Barrett's and get them to supply the plug and socket,(check if Jaycar has them.
2. cut the lead back from the plug say 100mm, cut out the lenght you do not need and then put in a 4 pin plug and socket and join them
Regards Ray
AnswerID:
136055
Reply By: Peter 2 - Monday, Oct 24, 2005 at 20:34
Monday, Oct 24, 2005 at 20:34
I 'think you are asking whether you can connect the transmitter direct to the autotune antenna with the cables that are coming out of the antenna.
I have a 550 like yours and yes you can.
Previously I had the transmitter in the back of the troopy and the antenna on the bullbar so needed the extension cables to connect the two.
Now on the Humvee the transmitter is in the rear compartment about 600mm from the antenna which I've then connected direct to the transmitter with the cables on the antenna. Works a treat.
AnswerID:
136097